Mexico City roadwork in 1978 uncovered an Aztec goddess monument beneath centuries of streets

The stone carving led to massive excavations

In 1978, routine roadwork in Mexico City unearthed a colossal stone carving of the Aztec goddess Coyolxauhqui. The discovery became a turning point, triggering extensive excavations at the Templo Mayor, the ceremonial center of Tenochtitlan. Findings suggested that large parts of the sacred district still survived beneath the modern city, reshaping understanding of Aztec history and urban life.